Christmas Eve, Day, and Boxing Day

Christmas in Germany, my first, and it will not be my last! We started on Christmas Eve with a family dinner, then moved onto opening presents. First we gave the individual presents, then we played this game where each couple brings 4 different presents (2 male and 2 female) and we place them on the table. We then spin a dice for 30 minutes, and when you roll a 1 or a 6 you get to choose a present off the table. Once all the presents are gone, you then have the option to take presents from someone else!

The game was very enjoyable, and I am sure I had the best present with one round left, until Britty's dad spun up a 1 and took it from right under my nose! Arh you can't win them all!

Christmas Day was spent calling people at home, and then visiting a few of Britty's relatives. In the night it was off to a night club about 45 minutes from Britty's parents house. I did not feel like drinking so I decided to drive. The night club was massive, and completely jammed packed with people. We stayed until about 1am, and just as we were leaving managed to avoid being caught up in a huge fight inside the club. We managed to get out even though the police were blocking the entire street! Lucky for us. Next night we heard that 7 people were injured during the fight, 3 critically. I am really not surprised at something like this happen given the lack of security in the club. If you ever visit a club in Australia, there are security people everywhere. I think during the night I saw 2 security guards!

Boxing day was spent mostly fixing Britty's parents computer. I know this sounds really lame, but every time I go over their place the Internet continuously drops in and out. I decided I would finally make a stand and fix it. Now I remember why I purchased a Mac before I came to Germany. Using windows again was down right painful! Spyware, viruses, 100s vulnerabilities, 100 of windows updates including updates to windows update!!!! Anyway in the end I think I sorted it.

I took a few photos over the Christmas days, check them out below, and you can find all of them here.

The real Christmas Tree! straight from the garden.

Some of the decorations in Britty's parents house. Petra, Britty's mum likes to decorate the house!

Me with Santa.

Britty placing all my presents under the tree.

mmmmm, what a hottie!

All the presents on the table before the game.

Me and Britty in front of the tree.

I have to say that Christmas in Germany was really frekin good!! I hope that everyone else had a top time, and are enjoying some holidays!! New Years Eve is only 1 day away, and I hope everyone has some wild plans! See you again next year!!!!!

Nürnberg Germany

After our trip to Füssen in Southern Germany, we headed to Nürnberg a city still in Bavaria, however a little further north. The GPS system initial told us the journey would take about 3 hours, however due to road works, which I might add seemed to have no point what so ever, it took us about 5.

In Nürnberg we were staying with Britty's cousin Birgit, and her boyfriend Dirk. They live very close the centre of Nürnberg, and have a really nice unit which made the stay really really comfortable. Birgit's owns her own business as a travel agent mainly organising trips for German tourists to Australia, so her tour guiding skills were exceptional when it came to giving us a guided tour of Nürnberg.

Nürnberg is a city rich in history, and is particular famous being the home of Nazi Party Rallies during the Nazi's reign between 1933 and 1945. It is also very famous for almost been completed destroyed during the war, and after the war was the home of the trails of Nazi Party Members. Nürnberg is also home of a really detailed and exceptionally well priced museum about the Nazi Party which I would class as a must if visiting the city. Britty and myself spent almost 3 hours there, and if given time I think we could have spent another 3 hours.

The old town in Nürnberg is also very beautiful, and was made all the more exciting during our trip because of the Nürnberg Christmas Markets. The market takes up quite a large portion of the city, and is jam packed full of tourists. Other than that it was pretty similar to all the other markets I saw during the Christmas period.

I of course had the camera ready at all times and snapped heaps of photos. Here are the best. You can see the rest here.

When we first arrived on Friday night we decided to have a few drinks. The night ended up being a long one!!

On the first day in Nürnberg we went to the site of the former Nazi Party Rallies, which is also a fantastic museum. This was a structure that Hitler started, but never completed. It was designed to hold 1000s of people to which Hitler would speak. In my opinion it looks similar to the Colosseum in Rome, and maybe it was meant to be used in a similar way!

I think this building is used now as a hostel. It is meant to be a very very good hostel.

Me and Britty within the Nürnberg Castle grounds.

This is the oldest house in Nürnberg. It dates back to the 1300s.

This is my favorite shot I took in Nürnberg. This was a beautiful street with some great old houses.

This is my second fav shot I took. As you can see the old town in Nürnberg is very very beautiful!

A shot of the main square in Nürnberg full of market stalls. This is only one section of the market.

Another photo of the old town.

Britty and myself had a great time in Nürnberg. After our trip here we went on to Halle which is toward the middle of Germany to visit Britty's great Aunt. I will post the photos soon!

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish everyone (where ever you may be) a very happy Christmas and a very safe and eventful New Year.

Today Britty and myself are having dinner at Brittys parents house, and tomorrow we are partying at a night club about 1 hour from here. Should be very eventful. To me it seems a little strange that a night club would be opened on Christmas Day, but it seems pretty normal around here.

I think back to last years Christmas and New Year, and it was Brittys first away from Germany. I promised Britty last year, that this year we would spend Christmas at her place, and I am really happy it all worked out.

This year has been very good, I have travelled a lot, and seen lots of different things. It was also really great to take in some what of a new culture this year, and the German way of life is certainly very exciting and entertaining.

I hope everyone enjoys the day, and I also hope that Santa is kind to you.

Füssen Germany

After completing 4 days in Munich, we decided to take a drive down to the bottom of Germany to a little town called Füssen. Füssen is famous for the very beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle that sits high on top of a Rock on the side of a mountain. The countryside on the drive is just fantastic, and is so picturesque. At this time of year, we would normally expect to see a little bit of snow, but because the temperature is so warm everything is still very very green. I guess this is good in a way (good for driving), but also disappointing in another way. I would love to have seen the castle and the grounds covered in snow. Maybe another time!

The pictures really speak for themselves, and turned out ok considering just how windy it was. Sometimes during the day you had to crab a railing or something to hold yourself upright. I can only describe it as cyclonic!

The view of the Castle from the bottom of the mountain. The walk to the top takes about 30 minutes, we were thinking about taking the bus until we found out it takes 45 minutes anyway. The walk wasn't so bad!

Another castle just across Hohenschwangau Castle.

Another picture before we took the walk to the top.

Photo of the castle from half way up the mountain.

And another. This time from the front.

The view from the top when you get to the gates of the castle.

The bridge that was also built by King Ludwig II.

The view from the Castle. Not bad. Wouldn't mind waking up each morning to this view.

Another view of the town below.

Britty and myself admiring the castle from the bridge. It was a bit of a hike to get to the bridge, but we worth it. The wind felt as if it would blow us off!

Another shot of the castle. It was truly a brilliant view.

Füssen was great, however it would have been really cool to spent at least a night there, to take in a little more of Southern Germany. However this was not to be, and after our quick trip we started our drive toward Nuernberg. The drive should only have taken about 3 hours, however with roadworks it ended up taking about 5 hours. I will post the photos from Nuernberg in the comings days.

If you want to check out the rest of the Füssen photos, you can get them here. Until next time Tschüss!

Munich Germany 2006 - Part 2

Our final day in Munich started with a trip to the Englischer Garten. The garden was still very nice, even in Winter, however there were no nude swimmers on the day we were there! Bit too cold I think!

A triumphal arch on the way to the Englischer Garten.

On the way we also came across this on the front of the news paper. It states that Munich is having the warmest climate in 1300 Years. No snow at all!

Britty and myself posing in front of the lake in the garden.

Then it was to the Chinese Tower for another photo.

After the Englischer Garten we headed to the new soccer stadium in Munich, were many World Cup games were held, and the home of Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich the German Bundesliga. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time for a tour.

Me in front of the stadium.

Then we headed back into Munich to continue searching for Britty's birthday present. On the way I snapped the photos below. And yes, we found a great present!

Munich has quite a few shops selling the famous coo coo clock.

Munich main square just before the sun went down. The square is full of Christmas Markets.

Britty and myself enjoying a nice hot wine at the Christmas Markets on the site of Oktoberfest.

Well that just about does it for Munich. Munich is a great city, and both Britty and myself would love to live their one day. I guess it will depend on what happens in the future. In the coming days I will post the photos from Nuernberg!

Photo Albums

As many of you can now see, I have started to compile a list of Picasa Web Albums down the left hand column of the blog.

Over the last week and given I have heaps of time at the moment, I started to sort my digital photos in to separate libraries, based on the year in which they were taken. When sorting through the photos I decided to create a library of the best photos of Britty and myself. If you are interested check it out below.

Me and Britty - Our Photos

For those of you that knew me before the start of this blog, most of you will know I worked in Cairns at the start of 2005. If it wasn't for this work, I would most likely have never have met Britty. During the time spent in the tropical north, I also had quite a few visitors from Brisbane. I have also created an album for this. Check it out below.

Cairns Work 2005

Over the comings weeks I plan to unleash more photos from the past. Going back over the photos I have many dating back as far as 2000, some I am sure people will love! :)

Until next time. Scott

Munich Germany 2006 - Part 1

After Britty and my two day stop in Cologne, we then headed to Munich for four nights. We booked a reasonably well priced hostel double room with hostelworld, and as it turned out, the hostel was in a really good location. We stayed at Wombats hostel, which is a very large, and well equipped place to stay. The room was really nice, we had a bathroom, there was a really cool bar (yes very cheap drinks by Munich standards), and the place had a pretty good atmosphere. We were also able to park the car under the hostel for 10 Euros a night. This is very cheap considering we payed 25 Euros for 1 and half days in Cologne.

Munich itself is a great city. Most people that have been there have told me this, and having witnessed it first hand, I can't help but agree! Munich has an awesome public transportation system, and is really easy to get around. We had pretty good weather while in Munich with only 1 day of drenching rain. The 2 Euro umbrellas we bought were certainly worth the money!

On the first night Britty and myself headed straight toward the famous Hofbräuhaus for a 1L bier, and a meal. The food was very nice, and very filling, and I think it was almost the cheapest meal we had during the time spent in Munich. The Hofbräuhaus, even on a Monday was packed full of tourists. People singing, jumping around, and yelling to traditional Bavarian music. Of course there was also 100s of people consuming copious amounts of alcohol, and having a tremendous time.

Me tucking into a very tasty beer! A few of these and I think that would be the end of the night!

Britty helping me out with my beer before it got too hot! I still can't drink hot beer!

Me at the entrance to the Hofbräuhaus.

The next day was Britty's Birthday so we headed out to see some of the city. The weather wasn't the best in the morning, but it did fine up in the afternoon. First stop was the Munich City Hall, and the Munich Christmas Markets. The idea was to find Britty a really awesome present. This didn't quite work out because we couldn't find anything Britty really wanted, so we decided to go to The Starnbergersee. The Starnbergersee is a lake just outside Munich. Many rich people have a place there, and in summer it is a hive of activity. Unfortunately in winter it isn't so busy, but we still got the idea.

The beautiful Munich City Hall. The square was packed with shoppers at both the markets and the thousands of shops.

Another one of the Town Hall.

And to the right of the Town Hall.

At the Starnbergersee. We were both happy the sun came out.

And another one of us at the Starnbergersee.

Next day we decided to go to Dachau, the site of the first concentration camp during the reign of Hitler. It was a very interesting experience going out there, and well worth it. We spent a good two hours wandering around, however we could have spent much longer if the rain did not come in the afternoon.

When you first enter the area you see this sign. Some 30 000 people died, or were worked to death here.

The grey dirt, and the small buildings here were designed to house thousands of people detained by the Nazis.

Where the prisoners use to sleep.

And washing would have been fun. No wonder disease was a major problem here.

Going to the loo would have been comfortable. Maybe not so much fun!

In this building 1000s of bodies were burned. The fires run constantly during the worst times!

I can just imagine this job. Don't really want to think about it too much though.

This was the gas chamber that was built on this site. It was never used, but the Nazis disguised this as a shower to ensure that people would not reject going in. The holes where the gas would have come out was disguised as a shower head. The room would have been more crowded than this!

That night we had a change of atmosphere and Britty and myself met up with a Friend that Britty had met in Australia during her working holiday. Sandra and Britta had met in Western Australia, and had not seen each other since the trip. We went to a nice but expensive restaurant. The food was very very good.

At the table in the restaurant. I think both Britty and Sandra enjoyed their cocktail.

This was the biggest burger of had ever tried to consume. It was so big, and so so tasty.

That just about does part one of our Munich Adventure. Stay tuned for part two.